How to Do Well on AP English Literature and Composition Exam

Do you want to know how to prepare for the AP Lit exam? No wonder! The AP English Literature and Composition is one of the most popular AP exams among students. At the exam, you must show your skills in reading and critically analyzing literature and your ability to write essays based on the interpretation of literary works.

If you are looking for effective strategies on how to study for the AP Lit exam, you are in the right place. We have selected the best strategies you can apply right away. Keep reading to learn how to tackle the exam and get the college credit you deserve!

What Do You Start With If You Prepare for the AP Literature Exam?

Most students take the AP English Literature and Composition class during their senior year of high school, but some might take it during their junior year. To increase your chances of getting a good grade and doing well on the exam, you can begin preparing even before you take the AP courses. Here are some tactics to help you get a head start:

• Start reading a lot. The AP Literature and Composition test is all about reading and writing skills. To excel at both, you need to go through literature pieces as a very attentive reader. So, even before you start your English Literature course or use the College Board website and its resources, just get into reading great literary works. At the end of the day, there is a reason why many schools require students to complete summer reading.
• Learn everything about the course and the exam. Go through the guidelines for the AP English Literature and Composition course and exam description to familiarize yourself with the test structure and its content. 
• Read and analyze speeches. Read (yes, again!) contemporary and older speeches. Paraphrase what the speakers say in your own words and identify their core messages. Thus, you learn to read and analyze information quickly and accurately on the exam. You can also practice delivering literary arguments, improving your analysis skills. 
• Work on your argumentation skills. It might sound like generic advice, but you need to work on your ability to defend your arguments when writing essays. Use relevant examples. A well-thought-out personal story may be a good beginning. Consider facts about famous, influential, or historical figures. Valid examples can also come from art, sports, and music. They don’t always have to be related to your school program. 
• Consult with AP teachers. Ask about what to expect in class, what skills you need to develop, and what you’ll be learning next year.

What Areas Should You Work On?

To prepare well for the AP English Literature and Composition exam, you should focus on three key areas: reading, college-level writing, and literary analysis. Let’s take a closer look at each of them.

Reading

Immerse yourself in a variety of literary works, including novels, plays, and poetry from different time periods and genres. Remember that on the AP literature exam, you will read prose passages from literary works. Thus, you should be familiar with various themes and styles and learn to analyze different literature.

Aim to read actively by annotating texts, highlighting important passages with figurative language, and reflecting on literary techniques. Regularly going through challenging material will improve your reading comprehension and analytical skills.

College-Level Writing

If this part sounds intimidating to you, don’t worry! By reading a lot, you are also preparing to tackle essays easier. Focus on creating strong thesis statements, organizing your essays coherently, and using textual evidence effectively.

Don’t be shy to use the new words you have just learned. Write multiple drafts and seek feedback from tutors, teachers, or peers to refine your writing. Practice writing essays that fit the exam format.

Literary Analysis

What else do you need to practice? Learn to analyze how authors use language, structure, and literary terms to create meaning. Practice breaking down passages to understand the author’s techniques and their effects. Discussing your insights with other students or teachers can deepen your understanding even further. Practicing literary analysis will enable you to interpret and evaluate texts more effectively, which is a crucial skill for the exam.

If you summarize everything you learned in these three categories, it translates into the next skills (tested in the multiple-choice section of the exam):

Source: College Board

How Much Time Do You Need to Prepare Well?

There is no correct answer to this important question, but there is one that suggests your control over the outcome – it depends. The time you need to prepare for the AP English Literature and Composition exam and score a 3, 4, or 5 can vary based on several factors. Those are your current level of knowledge and skills, study habits, experience with the subject, and the quality of your AP classes.

To aim for a score of 3 or above, you should plan to spend at least 2-4 hours each week on consistent preparation over a long period before the exam. If you wonder how to get a 5 on AP Lit, just make sure to practice more than students do on average. Split your time between these practice areas:

• Reading contemporary and classical prose fiction and nonfiction to boost your reading comprehension and learn common literary devices;
• Answering multiple choice questions and writing free-response questions;
• Doing timed practice exams to develop the sense of timing needed for the AP Literature exam; 
• Starting early, setting up a study schedule, and keeping up a steady effort (these are key steps to improve your chances of success); 
• Learning how to analyze the keywords and other literary elements. 

Practice Materials for the AP Lit Exam

So, which materials should you use while studying for the AP Lit exam? Luckily, there are plenty of resources that can help you practice sample questions or prepare for some tricky poetry analysis questions. Before diving into the practice, consider the exam’s units and their weightings:

Source: College Board

To do well on the AP literature test, you need to understand what literary merit each of these genres possesses. Then, find the most effective resource for you to prep. Here’s a list of some time-tested options:

• The College Board. It should be your number one source. You can learn everything about the AP exam structure, review examples of the AP literature multiple-choice questions, find what awaits you in the free-response section, and explore literary devices on their website. Use this source to familiarize yourself with the basic AP Lit exam prep materials. 
• Practice books. Invest in reputable AP Literature and Composition prep books that offer sample questions or even full-size practice AP tests. 
• Online resources. Find online resources that work for you. The more practice questions your platform has, the better. At Acely, we also make these questions interactive to make your study experience as enjoyable as possible. You can also try to check YouTube for some relevant video lessons. Besides, don’t forget about the study guides that cover key concepts and literary analysis techniques. These can be excellent supplements to your study routine.
• Literature anthologies. Using anthologies that include a wide range of poems, short stories, and excerpts from plays and novels can expose you to various writing styles and themes. Thus, you’ll build a deeper understanding of literary analysis and interpretation. It will prepare you for the essay questions and help you pick some sophisticated points, which are helpful for demonstrating advanced thinking skills when analyzing texts. 
• Flashcards. Yes, our all-time favorites! Create or use pre-made flashcards to review literary terms and devices. If you aren’t much of an arts and crafts person, try some online tools that offer a variety of ready-made AP Literature flashcard sets.

How You Should Not Study for the AP English Literature Exam

While preparing for the exam, you should not waste your time on ineffective activities. Here are some things to avoid:

• Don’t cram. Many students wait until the last minute and try to cram all the information before a test. Instead of doing that, begin studying beforehand. For example, read one chapter or review one key topic every day. If you can do more, that’s awesome! While it might sound boring, you will thank yourself later.
• Don’t watch a movie instead of reading a book. Some students think they can save time by watching the movie instead of reading the book. Yet, many movies differ significantly from the original text. This is true for both modern novels and classical literature. Even if a movie stays fairly true to the book, a lot of content must be cut to fit into the runtime. This means important details and scenes in the book may not appear in the movie.
• Don’t memorize quotes out of context. Sure, there are some iconic lines in literature, but memorizing a bunch of random quotes won’t win you points. The key is to understand why a quote is important and how it connects to the bigger theme of the book.
• Don’t wing it in the free-response section. The free-response section is where you can really show your analytical skills. Don’t hope for inspiration! Practice writing essays beforehand using past AP prompts or practice pieces you find online. Thus, you’ll learn to develop strong thesis statements and organize your writing effectively. Use quotes effectively, integrating them into your sentences and properly citing them.
• Avoid making grammar mistakes. Once you’ve finished writing, take a few minutes to proofread your essay for grammar errors, typos, and clarity. Ensure your writing mechanics are sound and your essay flows smoothly.

Conclusion

These were the most effective strategies for your AP English Literature and Composition. While some of them might sound simple, they will bring you great results if you actually apply them. The best part? Some of them are pretty universal, so you can easily use the strategies you’ve learned today to prepare for other AP exams, whether it’s World History or Biology. Remember, the key to success is consistent study and practice. With dedication and the right tactics, you will feel confident and ready to excel in your AP English Literature and Composition exam. Good luck!